Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:21 pm on May 22, 2022 Permalink  

  Quiet Sunday 

  It may be cool out, but I think this is great.  

  All is well here on Stauffer Avenue.  Both Dennis and I rested well and slept through the night.  It is four in the afternoon and Dennis has passed on pain meds.  His last one was at ten last night.  I swapped out the surgical dressing this morning and the incision looks good.  We actually have enough medical supplies via the wound doctor, we could help out Lewis Drug in a pinch.  We are not through this yet, so I had best pull in my shingle.

  During the coolest part of the forenoon, I putzed in the studio cutting up scraps for the next go round of blocks for The Long Ago project.

  The afternoon sun got Dennis out in the patio porch and me with a sand shovel in my hands.  Slow and steady, I have two holes dug out under the flower garden around our huge Maple.  There has been some winter kill and there are some Hosta that are just begging to be split.  I won’t be able to work on the holes tomorrow as we have appointments in Mankato.  

  Oh shucks.  Tonight is the last of the chicken oven dish for supper.  If I could, my wish were to have the refrig stocked with good leftovers. 

  Enjoy the new week, it looks to be a great one.

   
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  Noreen 3:33 pm on May 21, 2022 Permalink  

  Chilly Day 

  Brr!  Chilly enough the furnace kicked in even with the thermostat set at 60 degrees here in the living room.

  I am really pleased that with only three days out from his surgery, Dennis is taking things in stride in regard to the pain.  He slept the night through without meds.  We adjusted one crutch for Dennis to use under his right arm and it seems to work well to keep from putting weight on the left foot.  Non of Dennis’ recovery days have surprised me.  Dennis went into this with a great attitude.   There is no “poor me.”

  As chilly as it is outside, I spent some of the afternoon in the studio.  I was so sure my portable radio was giving out on me.  It was a Christmas present from Kevin in the 80s.  Wonder of wonders.  It sure helps to put new batteries in it.  After four new “C” batteries we are back in business.  My time in the studio wouldn’t be the same without KNUJ AM.

  Tomorrow we were invited to nephew Larry’s daughter’s graduation party.   They are having it at the Hutchinson Fairgrounds in one of the buildings.  I had allowed Larry to know that with Dennis being out of the surgery by only a short amount of days, I would not be attending.  Larry’s response was “Take care of Dennis.”  I knew he would understand even though his wife was hoping I would be there . . . even after I had explained our circumstances.  Monday we need to have Dennis back for a post op check in with the surgeon’s nurse.  I know myself.  I would be stretching myself too thin in the energy department.

  With the oven meal of last night allowing for this evening’s supper as well, we are putting jellied cranberries with it for tonight.  A great combo.

  There is a chance of showers this late afternoon.  That would for sure be . . . Brr!

   
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  Noreen 1:36 pm on May 20, 2022 Permalink  

  Gray Skies 

  We must have had some wind with the rain drops.  I always put my glasses on the window ledge in my bedroom, aka: west porch.  I got up at four to get Dennis a pain pill and my glasses were gone.  Of course it sets the mind racing.  I am as blind as a bat without them.  It is one thing for me to need my cane when I get up during the night but to then do it without my glasses . . . slow and steady.  When I went to get back into bed for a few more hours of sleep, the street light caught something shining.  Sure enough the wind had blown my glasses off of the ledge and half way across the porch floor.  It was a miracle I had not stepped on them.  If we had had bad weather, I did not hear a thing.

  I admit to being tuckered when the clock on the wall indicated nine last night.  Perhaps not so much physical exhaustion but nerves from being and seeing Dennis through his foot surgery yesterday.

  This morning called for the dressings to be changed.  Dry and tidy is our aim.  Dennis was planning on staying in his recliner for the morning, so a light dressing was applied to see if the incision would soak through.  Dennis slept until 11:30 with no dressing change needed, so we completed the full wrap up.  I am quite sure the clotting process has been completed. 

  I did stay on the first floor while Dennis slept in case I was needed.  It gave me a chance to mop the bathroom and kitchen floors plus shinning up the top of the kitchen range.  All was needed and it felt good to have it done.  A grilled cheese sandwich for lunch and then Dennis was helped into the patio porch for some television viewing while keeping the foot up.  I hit the kitchen and we now have an oven meal to pop in the oven for supper.  Sweet.

  It is now 2:30 and I am going to take advantage of some quiet time and sit in the west porch to do a bit of reading and might also watch some traffic go by.  I have until four this afternoon before meds are handed out.  Another whew moment.

   
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  Noreen 5:27 pm on May 19, 2022 Permalink  

  Oh What a Day 

  Dennis’ surgery went according to Dr. Madsen’s plan.

  It felt so good to be on the way home, with a stop at Lewis Drug for antibiotic and pain pills.

  We got Dennis into the house and it was time to get the foot elevated with the boot off.  The surgical bandage was soaked with blood as well as the inside of the cushioned boot.

  I put a call into the hospital and was told Dr. Madsen would be calling.  In the meantime I got the soaked dressing off to the bare incision.  I got out my usual supplies in preparation for getting the incision dry and wrapped.  When Madsen called he said to put one layer of gauze over the incision to see if that would soak through.  He felt it would not and . . . it did not.  He confirmed I was doing the very best thing as he had seen the dressing on Dennis’ left foot I had put on Wednesday and that which he took off before surgery.

  It is six thirty and we are on track for a much quieter evening than we had this late afternoon.  I admit I am beat and Dennis is smiling as he knew I had it under control.

  Tomorrow is a new day and I know my nine o’clock bedtime is right around the corner.  Sweet!

   
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  Noreen 3:08 pm on May 18, 2022 Permalink  

  Wednesday the 18th 

  A day to enjoy some outside time and some indoors time.  It’s called a balanced day.

  My mornings involve taking a walk around the patio area to see what is working its way out of the dirt.  I am giving everything plenty of time to show itself before I choose the hoe.  There is a ton of wild mustard showing itself.  I have my eye on several Autumn Joy that I may divide if the bare spots persist.

  Today in the studio I completed the nine 5.5 inch blocks named The Courthouse Steps.  A grouping of three sewn in a strip will find themselves in the completed project in various areas.  It wasn’t a difficult block using one inch strips.  The most time consuming was pressing after each seam was stitched prior to trimming.  That brought a chuckle from me.  When my sister got the quilting bug she realized then what had escaped her in garment sewing . . . ya gotta stitch a seam and then press a seam.  

  After today’s stitching, I turned the page to see what would come next in this project.  It will be four 6.5 inch blocks labeled as Log Cabin.  Again it will be fabric cut into one inch strips.  My pile of scraps gets fluffed up and then time will tell.  I had a great phone visit this morning from one of the stitchers.  Sharon is aware of this pattern as we all had a chance of seeing the finished project when fellow Stitcher Lu brought it to one of our luncheons at Baker’s Square.  Yup . . . I could allow Sharon to know it is one step at a time and to not loose patience.  It was great that Sharon called as I will be with Dennis tomorrow during his surgery rather than at Baker’s square with the group of stitchers.  I will catch up with them next month.

  Dennis had his eye injection today at our local eye clinic.  Wham, bam . . . two procedures in as many days for Dennis.  Both Dennis and I are anxious to make the call after supper as to when we need to be at the hospital tomorrow.  Tomorrow at this time, Dennis will be recovering either at the hospital or at home.  Whew.

   
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  Noreen 1:51 pm on May 17, 2022 Permalink  

  Practicing 

  Today we began practicing to see how we can get Dennis around after his one day surgery on this Thursday.  The goal will be for Dennis to not put weight bearing on his left foot.  All rugs and such are up off of the floor.  A few items removed from the traffic flow.  There is a knee scooter for him to get from the house to the patio porch and back.  Once he gets to the house he can sit on the four steps from the back door to the kitchen.   A walker with a seat cushion will transport him from there to wherever he wants to go on our main level.  Using crutches has been nixed.  I got around with them when I had both knees done at one time, but I was a bit younger and more apt to have better balance.

  We have got this!

  Today via the phone we have Dennis’ admission interview done for the surgery.  Sometime after six on Wednesday night we find out what time we need to be at the hospital.  No matter the time . . . daylight will not be far behind.

  Today’s rain was a strong half inch.  The weather is downright cool.  No!  there will be no auxiliary heat turned on.   It’s spring . . . remember?

   
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  Noreen 3:12 pm on May 16, 2022 Permalink  

  All is Well 

  On a grand day as this is, all is well with me and mine.

  Dennis had his pre-op physical this morning at our local clinic.  We got home at noon and we both agreed this would be a good day for making nice with the acre.  I think I could do the push mowing around the house but I won’t hold up in doing the trimming of the acre as well.  Dennis put the Sear’s rider on the second to the highest level.  The front yard looks manicured at that height with no scalps.

  I enjoy being outside doing yard work.  I have been doing it since I had babies riding on my lap of a riding lawnmower.  Hmm.  That was in the 60s.  It is surprising how easily they would fall asleep.  We had two Oak trees just far enough apart from each other that the hammock was the perfect dumping off spot to pop them into to finish a nap.  Orlin had even made a small fenced in area that was easy to move from spot to spot to keep the kids out of the sun and far away from the mower.  Sweet times those were on the farm.  I can recall them as if it were yesterday.

  Fast forward to last year . . . 2021.  I didn’t accomplish much in our yard let alone contribute to the tending of the acre.  I had tried, but when I lost my balance while being a novice with a cane, I nicely had to stay where I sat until Dennis came to my rescue.  He got me up on my feet and steered me to the closest lawn chair.  He then took my cane away so he knew I would stay where I was planted.

  Much has improved over this last year.  I understand my body and what it and I can do together safely.  The together part is the mind plus the physical body.  Maybe I will always be tuckered at the end of the day.  I don’t nap during the day.  Whether I am in the studio or in the yard, I give it all that I have.  I am in the comfort zone of my home.  It is my safety rut.  I also know that I do experience sensory overload when we have a full day outside of our home.  A stroke can and doesn’t effect just the physical body.  However small . . . there is some spillover into the mindset.  That is the best way I can think of explaining that.  

  I am here to tell you, I accept who I am and what I am able to do for myself and Dennis.  We are a team that sometimes appears to be tattered from stepping up and taking . . . one more hit.  I am not one to throw in the towel . . . neither is Dennis.  Dennis and I talked about this just this last Saturday once we had the patios tricked out.  Dennis went through so many medical issues with me when I was in my late 50s and early 60s.  I then took time off with the medical world until the stroke and heart surgery in 2021 when I was 76.  It wasn’t until Dennis had turned 82 that he had medical issues and that was the carotid arteries.  Hmm.  We summed it up by reminding each other of the great medical advancements we each have experienced.  Sweet.

  What is also sweet is how great the acre looks this afternoon.  What a great spring week.

   
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  Noreen 2:17 pm on May 15, 2022 Permalink  

  Oh What a Day 

  Oh what a beautiful day!

  I was up a bit before six this morning and was ready for what the day brought.  Now that we have chairs out on the patios, I took a cup of coffee and headed to the east one.  Each day I marvel that there are still some Hosta just making their appearance.

  I checked out the two Rainbow’s End Alberta Spruce that we purchased at Drummer’s Nursery last year in Mankato.  The tips are loaded with new buds.  I had hung onto the sales receipt as Drummer’s would have replaced them had they not made it into the 2022 growing season.  There is an envelope I can throw out.  Dennis had watered them last year consistently with fertilizer.  The end of the potting shed looked naked.  With one last swallow of coffee, I began making one trip at a time for some garden art to put out onto the lava rocks. 

  The north side of the potting shed had been the Koi pond for decades.  The fall of 2000, the Koi were taken to Renville County to my brother’s as Mike and Jo had a pond and our Koi would join theirs’s for that winter.   We found out in the spring of 2021, all of our Koi had made it just fine.

  By the time came at 9:30 this morning, I was ready to pack it in with the potting shed’s north side tricked out.  It had taken me many trips to bring items out of the potting shed . . . one at a time.   I did bring out a fresh cup of coffee and took a break.  After I had taken the photo, I realized that with the end of a rake, I could have nudged the welcome sign in the peak of the shed a bit to straighten it out.  That may get done tomorrow.

  Dennis was busy in the garages.  We can’t figure out what the patio porch kitties had gotten into.  There were greasy foot prints all over the floors and they went around both vehicles.  They were greasy enough that cat hair and dust stuck to their foot prints.  We could find nothing that was tipped over or broken.  Not to get the grease tracked into the vehicles, Dennis set about cleaning the cement floors.  He had won a spray container of cleaner for tires.  That spray went onto the foot prints.  Dennis let that set awhile and he then followed up with hot sudsy water and a stiff brush.  It was a good thing the brush had a good length of a handle as his back got a good workout.  Rinsing the floors with clear water and the floors air dried.  The floors are clean and clear of tell tale foot prints.  Leave it to the patio porch kitties.

  Oh what a day we have had.  Today all we have left is showers and getting fresh dressings on Dennis’ left foot.  He has been getting several hours each day with the arterial pump on the left leg.  We both have good feelings about the surgery on his left foot later this week.  Positive affirmations with lots of prayers.

   
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  Noreen 4:28 pm on May 14, 2022 Permalink  

  Open for the Season 

  The older ones on Stauffer Avenue are open for the season.  We have chairs out on the patio and the 10′ umbrella is out and up.  It just feels good to take a cup of coffee out and enjoy what the day may bring.

  We have a neighbor that takes care of a home that was his parents.  No one has lived in the house for years.  One day my neighbor Jan and I were wondering how many goodies could possibly be in the home.  I commented I would love to get a hold of an old trunk to fix up.  Jan looked at me and said she might have just what I was looking for in her attic.  Sure enough.  We now have two old trunks in our patio porch.  The wheels in the old cowboy are turning as he is sizing up hinges to find and working on taking the tattered old oil cloth off.  Amazing!  I thought of daughter-in-law Kersten and her collectables.  Several years ago Dennis did a bang up job on an old wooden highchair.  I think this might be the ticket for him to putz on while recovering from surgery.

  It was a great day outside and I am hoping for many more.

  Bring on a great run this next week of enjoying Minnesota.

   
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  Noreen 1:25 pm on May 13, 2022 Permalink  

  New Schedule 

  Today we are adding a new schedule to Dennis’ day.  We have been given an arterial pump through the VA for as long as Dennis needs it.  It is a blood pressure cuff that fits on the foot as well as the left leg.  It is to aid in encouraging blood flow to the foot.  Though the second angiogram was successful this is just a plus, plus.  Ideally three hours a day starting four days after the surgery at one hour intervals.  For these days prior, it can’t do anything but help to have the foot in as good of a position as possible.  Whatever we can do for a successful surgical healing, we are all in.  It won’t be hard for Dennis using it in the patio porch.   All I need to do is visit him and the kitties to get it on properly.  We are continually impressed with the care that is given with our local clinic, with the Mankato facilities and the VA.

  I was up at six this morning and right now as the mid point of the day is approaching, I can smell the wonderful aroma from the crock pot.  A layer of baby carrots, several potatoes sliced in half, face down plus slices of onion.  I have a two pound Angus beef brisket that I rubbed with seasoning to top it off.  I had several onion slices saved to put on top of the meat.

  Having the house tidied and Dennis situated, I spent time in the studio.  Today I finished the last of the sixteen pineapple log cabin blocks.  What a great feeling.  The three separate units are placed at three locations in the total project.  The colors are my rendition of being scrappy.  Slow but sure, there is headways being made.  Previously the nine blocks of the pineapples were completed.  This project is a good one.  I never have to wonder what to start next in the studio.  I have a spare copy of the project in its entirety close at hand and mark off each finished design as I come to it.  I do see where the stitchers may be anticipating a retreat in September.  I am thinking on it, but not very seriously.  Since October of last year, my time for spending it in our home has come second.  Getting my partner up and going in good health has been a good investment and well worth it.  I do believe we are heading around the bend for a win.

  Great temps today and this coming week is going to feel as if spring is smiling down on us.  Enjoy!